The expansion of spice production, especially in hinterland communities, is being given prominence. About 35 farmers in Region 1 are currently involved in ginger, turmeric, black pepper and nutmeg cultivation. Locally-produced turmeric is expected on the market, either in late December 2010 or early January 2011. During a recent interview Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Dr.  Oudho Homenauth, revealed that, currently, two blackpepper plant nurseries have been established, one at the NARI headquarters, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, and the other at Hosororo in North West District, Region One (Barima/Waini).
Homenauth said 1,000 cuttings of blackpepper will be available for reaping by the middle of next year.
He also said that a total of 30 farmers in Region One are now engaged in planting turmeric, in comparison to only three last year.
Homenauth said the crop is scheduled for reaping in January or February, as it would take a maximum of seven months to mature.
He said that only half of that harvest will be marketed and the other half would go towards expanding the enterprise.
Homenauth informed that approximately 70 tons will be dried and polished and a projected processed amount of between 12 and 15 tons would be put on the market.
Spices were introduced on a small scale in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) in August and are doing well at Kato, Paramakatoi and Bamboo Creek villages, he reported.
Homenauth said the turmeric polisher and ginger grinder machines have arrived from India and are to be installed at the Kumaka/Mabaruma Agriculture Centre for the benefit of Region One farmers.
He said the location was chosen as it is close to the terminal from where a ferry boat would transport the products directly to Georgetown.
A total of 6.5 acres are to be cultivated, projected to yield about 140 tons next year, Homenauth said, noting that only six farmers are growing ginger in Region One because of the difficulty in obtaining planting materials, but he assured that favourable conditions exist there for its cultivation.
He said that imported ginger has proven to be very costly and, consequently, 20 acres have been planted in Region One, yielding some 15 tons for local use.
Homenauth said that nutmeg takes two years to mature, but there are currently 1,005 seedlings in the Hosororo Nursery, with 2,000 expected by next year.
“The growth and development of blackpepper and turmeric has been great, so far, and, once there is a demand, we will continue on a larger scale next year,” he said.